john (from arran)

sammy

12th January 2010, 17:48

Remember the poem On first looking into Chapman's Homer?
On First Looking into Chapman's Homer

Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
Round many western islands have I been
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne;
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
When a new planet swims into his ken;
Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes
He star'd at the Pacific — and all his men
Look'd at each other with a wild surmise —
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

simon

simon

12th January 2010, 18:05

Maybe you are both right. Of course it needs to be spelt Cortes. Yet the poem may allude to the first part of the clue. The FT always has a general knowledge theme to its cryptic xwords. Like its 12 across as an example.

sammy

12th January 2010, 18:23

John is a cheeky monkey! The first half of the clue is quoting from the poem.
I have always loved that poem since we learnt it at school and especially the last four lines - the sense of awe that overcomes them. That last line, so simple. Unforgettable the scene.